Sailing jacket

ABSTRACT

A buoyant jacket especially adapted for use by persons such as sailboat crewmen engaged in strenuous physical activity in which each of two integral differentially buoyant right and left bodies has a thin waist portion leading up to a chest portion having a vertical slit in its outer skin and a thicker shoulder portion having transverse slits in its outer skin with a hollowed inner surface area in each body below the shoulder and in which the jacket back comprises right and left buoyant bodies each of which tapers in thickness from a shoulder area toward the waist and each of which has an outer transverse groove in the region of a shoulder blade of the wearer. A fabric covering, the inner portion of which is a fishnet fabric, houses all of the bodies, joins the back bodies along the spine of the wearer and joins the back bodies respectively to the front bodies at the shoulders. Straps, one of which is vertically adjustable, extend entirely around the outside front and back bodies securely to hold the jacket on the wearer&#39;&#39;s body.

United States Patent Frieder Mar. 7, 1972 [54] SAILING JACKET [72] Inventor: Leonard P. Frieder, Clarks Green, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Gentex Corporation, New York, N.Y.

[22] Fiied: Feb. 26, 1970 [21] App]. No.2 14,450

[52] US. Cl. ..9/342 1,831,472 1l/1931 Abrarnowitz..

2,226,564 12/ 1940 Kienitz .9/342 2,363,640 11/1944 Brown ..9/342 2,823,396 2/1958 Erickson.... 9/338 X 3,050,753 8/1962 Baker ..9/337 3,366,984 2/1968 Le Blanc, Jr ..9/333 Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Sauberer Attorney-Shenier and O'Connor 51 ABSTRACT A buoyant jacket especially adapted for use by persons such as sailboat crewmen engaged in strenuous physical activity in which each of two integral differentially buoyant right and left bodies has a thin waist portion leading up to a chest portion having a vertical slit in its outer skin and a thicker shoulder portion having transverse slits in its outer skin with a hollowed inner surface area in each body below the shoulder and in which the jacket back comprises right and left buoyant bodies each of which tapers in thickness from a shoulder area toward the waist and each of which has an outer transverse groove in the region of a shoulder blade of the wearer. A fabric covering, the inner portion of which is a fishnet fabric, houses all of the bodies, joins the back bodies along the spine of the wearer and joins the back bodies respectively to the front bodies at the shoulders. Straps, one of which is vertically adjustable, extend entirely around the outside front and back bodies securely to hold the jacket on the wearers body.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAR 7 I972 SHEU 2 BF 3 z uvsman Z. canard 1? Fn'eder nrra'nws vs PAIENIEBMAR 7 I972 3.646.626

SHEET 3 0f 3 INVENTOR HTTORNEYS I SAILING JACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many different types of buoyant vests and jackets and the like are known in the prior art. The wide variety of jackets arises from the increasing trend toward development of jackets which are intended for use by persons engaged in specific activities.

While there are many different types of jackets available none of them satisfactorily fulfills all of the requirements of persons engaged in activities at sea which require sporadic periods of strenuous physical activity. Such persons, for example, would be those forming the crew of a sailboat. Such persons have periods of relative inactivity as well as periods wherein they must perform tasks requiring agility and the exertion of force. During all of these times the possibility exists that such a person may accidentally fall or be knocked into the water. In such an event it is necessary that the person be buoyantly supported until a rescue can be effected.

Many requirements must be met satisfactorily to fulfil the needs of persons of the class described above. A jacket used by a sailboat crewman must first of all fulfil the requirement of buoyantly supporting him in the water should he accidentally fall or be knocked off the boat and into the water. The jacket should be comfortable during periods of relative inactivity. It must permit freedom of movement for sitting, squatting and for vigorous arm movement during periods of physical activity. It should be easy to don. Owing to the fact that a number of such jackets customarily are stored aboard the boat and the same crew is not always aboard, it is desirable that the jacket provide a universal fit for all adult sizes and for both sexes. In addition to the requirements outlined above, the jacket should permit the wearer to climb from the water back into the boat. For that reason it should not trap water within the confines of the jacket. It should be strong enough to permit a wearer to be towed while in the water and be lifted back into the boat. It should orient the wearer to a face up position at the correct angle. It is desirable that the jacket be inexpensive so as to make it available to all members of the jacket-purchasing public.

I have invented a sailing jacket which is especially adapted for use by persons engaging in sporadic periods of strenuous activities on a sailboat or the like. My jacket fits all sizes of persons who normally would be expected to engage in the activities for which my jacket is designed. My jacket affords the wearer a high degree of physical freedom. It is comfortable during periods of inactivity. It permits the wearer to climb from the water back into the boat without interference. It is strong enough to permit the wearer to be towed or to be hoisted back into the boat. It floats the wearer in the water with his head up and with the body at the correct angle for safety. It is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which is particularly suited for use by persons engaged in nautical activities requiring sporadic strenuous action.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which is comfortable during periods of inactivity while affording the wearer a high degree of physical freedom.

A further object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which fits substantially all sizes of persons who might be expected to engage in sailing.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which enables a person wearing the jacket to climb from the water into a boat.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which is strong enough to permit the wearer to be towed in the water and to be hoisted from the water.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which will float the wearer face up and at the proper angle.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a sailing jacket which is relatively inexpensive for the results achieved thereby.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of a sailing jacket having leftand right-hand differentially buoyant front bodies each of which has a thin waist portion leading up to a chest portion having a vertical slit in its outer surface which chest portion leads to a thicker shoulder portion having transverse slits in its outer surface, each body having a hollowed area in its inner surface, and in which two similar back buoyant bodies taper in thickness from shoulder areas toward the waist and which have transversely extending, external grooves in the region of the shoulder blades of the wearer. A covering made up of an outer fabric and an inner fishnet fabric houses allof the bodies, joining the back bodies along the wearers spine and joining the backbodies respectively to the front bodies at the shoulders. Straps, one of which may be adjusted vertically on the back, extend entirely around the wearer's body outside the jacket bodies securely to hold the jacket in position on the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outside of my jacket with the jacket lying on a flat surface.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside of my jacket with the jacket lying on a flat surface.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the front right-hand buoyant body of my sailing jacket.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the body shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the body shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the body shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line 6-6 thereof.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the left-hand back body of my sailing jacket.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the body shown in FIG. 7 taken along the line 8-8 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings my sailing jacket indicated generally by the reference character 10 includes a right-hand front portion indicated generally by the reference character 12, a left-hand front section indicated generally by the reference character 14 and a back indicated generally by the reference character 15. The right-hand front section 12 includes a buoyant body 16 formed of any suitable material such for example as foamed unicellular polyvinyl chloride. The body 16 is encased in an envelope made up of an outer piece 18 of closely woven fabric such as a nylon fabric or the like. An inner piece 20 of a fishnet fabric permitting free flow of water therethrough is secured to the piece 18 to complete the envelope. Piping 22 secures the pieces 18 and 20 to each other along the inner edge of the section 12. A short length of piping 24 and a line of stitching 26 secures the pieces 18 and 20 to each other along the outer edge of the section 12. A tape 28 extending along the inside of the lower edge of section 12 receives stitching for securing the lower edges of pieces I8 and 20 together.

The left-hand front section 14 of my jacket 10 includes a buoyant body 30 formed of the same material as is the body 16 of the right-hand front section 12. As will be explained more fully hereinafter the body 30 has the same general configuration and incorporates the same features as does the body 16. However, I make the bodies 16 and 30 differentially buoyant so as to produce a turning moment for turning an individual from a neutral face-down position in the water to a faceup position. ln the particular embodiment shown in order to achieve that result 1 make the body 16 larger than is the body 30. Alternatively 1 might, of course, make the bodies the same size but of materials which are inherently differentially buoyant.

l encase the body 30 in an envelope including an outer closely woven fabric piece 32 and an inner fabric piece 34 formed of netlike material which permits the free flow of water therethrough. A length of piping 36 is sewed along the outer edge of the envelope so as to join the fabric pieces along that edge. A line of stitching 38 through a tape 40 secures the pieces 32 and 34 along the lower edge. A short length of piping 42 along the generally vertical portion of the inner edge of the section 14 and a line of stitching 44 extending from the piping 42 to the top of the section 14 joins the fabric pieces 32 and 34 along the inner edge of the section.

The back 15 of my jacket includes respective right-hand and left-hand buoyant bodies 46 and 48 the configuration and structural features of which will be described more fully hereinafter. 1 house the sections 46 and 48 in a fabric envelope made up of an outer closely woven fabric piece 50 and an inner fishnet fabric piece 52. Respective lengths of piping 54 and 56 extend from the bottom edge of back upwardly along the outer edges thereof to the top of the back so as to form continuations of the lengths of piping 22 and 36 and so as to join the side edges of the fabric pieces 50 and 52. A tape 58 running along the inside of the back 16 along the lower edge thereof is stitched to both the fabric pieces 50 and 52 by stitching 60 so as to close the bottom of the envelope containing the two buoyant bodies 46 and 48. A line of stitching 62 along the top of the back 12 connects the two lines of stitching 26 and 44 to close the top of the envelope housing the back bodies 46 and 48. 1 provide a vertical line of stitching 64 running from top to bottom of the back 16 fabric pieces 50 and 52 between bodies 46 and 48 to provide a hinge connecting these two bodies. Stitching 66 and 68 connects the upper edges of the envelopes containing the front bodies 16 and 30 to shoulder portions of the envelope containing the bodies 46 and 48 to provide hinges in the region of the shoulders for joining sections 12 and 14 to the back 16.

1 provide my jacket with means for securely holding the jacket in position on the wearers body in such a way as permits a person in the water to be towed while wearing my jacket and if necessary to be hoisted out of the water by means of the jacket without injury. 1 form a loop 70 at one end ofa belt 72 made up of any suitable material such for example as nylon webbing. l secure the loop 70 to the fabric piece 32 adjacent the inner edge thereof by stitching 74. Preferably l secure a reinforcing piece 76 of material of which the piece 32 is formed behind the piece 32 in regions whereat it is to receive stitching such for example as the stitching 74. While other reinforcing pieces will not be described in detail, it will be understood that such pieces are provided in other stitched areas to be described.

The belt 72 runs from stitching 74 through a guide loop 76 which may be fonned of the same material as is the belt and which loop 76 is secured to piece 32 by stitching 78. From the loop 76 the belt 72 passes through a loop 80 adjacent one edge of the outside of the back 15 and thence through a loop 82 formed by a piece of webbing so stitched to the back fabric piece 50 as to form loop 82 and a pair of loops 84 and 86 spaced vertically above loop 82. After leaving the loop 82 belt 72 passes through a loop 88 formed by a length of webbing so stitched to the back piece 50 as to form loop 88 and spaced loops 90 and 92 above loop 88. Belt 72 extends from loop 88 through a loop 90 secured to the lower right-hand corner of the outside of back 16. From loop 90 belt 72 passes through a loop 91 secured to the outer edge of the outside of section 12 to provide the free end 92.

A short length of webbing 94 stitched to fabric piece 18 ad jacent the lower edge thereof retains a pair of D-rings 96 and r 98 for frictionally adjustably receiving the free end 92 of belt 72. The piece 94 also retains a snaphook 100 adapted releasably to engage a D-ring 102 carried by loop 70.

My securing means includes a second belt 104 extending from stitching 106 forming a loop carrying a D-ring 108 through a guide loop 110 in the chest area of section 14 then through the loops 84 and 90 and then through a loop 112 secured to section 12 in the chest area adjacent the outer edge thereof to provide a free end 114. Another fabric piece 116 carries D-rings 118 and 120 for frictionally adjustably receiving free end 114 and a snaphook 122 adapted releasably to engage D-ring 108.

From the structure just described it will be apparent that the two sets of D-rings 96 and 98 and 118 and 120 frictionally adjustably receive the free ends 92 and 114 to permit the jacket to be drawn tightly around the wearer's body. Moreover, a further adjustment to size is provided by the two auxiliary loops 86 and 92 through which belt 104 may pass to accommodate a person of smaller size than one who would use the jacket with the belt passing through loops 84 and 90.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6 the right-hand buoyant body 16 includes a shoulder portion 124, a chest portion 126 and a waist portion 128. 1 so form the section 16 that the body is relatively thick in the shoulder region 124 and in the upper portion of the chest region 126 and then is tapered to provide a relatively thin waist portion 128. In addition, I hollow out a region 130 of the inner surface of the body 16 and 1 provide a vertically extending slit 132 in the outer section of the body 16 and the chest region so as to permit the body to flex relatively freely and so as comfortably to accommodate persons of various sizes and of both sexes. In addition to the features just described I provide the shoulder portion 124 with a plurality of transversely extending slits 134, 136 and 138 in the outer surface thereof to permit the shoulder portion 124 to flex over the shoulder of the wearer without discomfort to the wearer. While the body 30 is somewhat smaller than is the body 16 to provide the differential buoyancy described hereinabove it incorporates all of the features described in connection with the body 16. For this reason body 30 will not be described in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 the left-hand back buoyant body 48, like bodies 16 and 30, is molded from a suitable material such for example as expanded unicellular polyvinyl chloride. I so shape body 48 that it tapers from a shoulder region 140 downwardly to a waist region 142. In this way I provide sufficient buoyant material in the shoulder blade area of the wearer relative to the material in the front bodies 16 and 30 as to cause the wearer to be supported in the water at the proper angle. 1 mold a transverse groove 144 in the outer surface of body 48 in the shoulder blade region thereof to permit the body to conform to the wearer's body without discomforting him and without detracting from the primary function of buoyancy. Body 46 is formed in a manner similar to, and is provided with, the same features as is the body 48. Thus body 46 will not be described in greater detail.

In use of my buoyant jacket strap 104 first is positioned vertically on the back 15 so as to accommodate the size of the person who is to use the jacket. Next, the wearer dons the jacket by passing his arms through the openings between the shoulders and the portions of strap or belt 104 connecting section 16 to the sections 12 and 14. Next, snaphooks 100 and 122 are engaged with rings 102 and 108. Finally, the free ends 92 and 114 are pulled to draw the jacket around the wearer's body sufficiently tightly to hold it on his body. In the course of this operation the front sections 30 and 16 flex in the region of slits 132 so that this action, together with the hollowed out portions 130, permits the sections to conform closely to the wearers body without discomfort to the wearer. At the same time, the shoulder portions 124 of the front bodies flex along the slits 134, 136 and 138 to permit them to assume positions at which they will effectively perform their intended function without irritating the wearer. Further in the course of the donning operation the back bodies 46 and 48 may move relative to each other along the hinge 64 in the back envelope.

Further, these bodies freely flex along the grooves 144 provided in the relatively thicker parts of bodies 46 and 48 to permit them to conform closely to the back of the shoulders of the wearer. In such positions the upper portions of the bodies are ideally located for accomplishing their function and they do not interfere with the wearer in any way.

Should the wearer fall or be accidentally knocked into the water, the differential buoyancy of the front bodies ensures that the wearer turns face up. Moreover, the relative buoyancies of the front bodies to the back bodies ensures that the person will assume the correct angle in the water. Should it be necessary to tow a person through the water or to hoist him out of the water, these operations can be achieved through the medium of the straps or belts 72 and 104 without harming the wearer.

It will be seen tat l have accomplished the objects of my invention. l have provided a buoyant jacket which is especially adapted for use by persons such as yachtsmen sporadically engaged in periods of strenuous activity. My jacket will accommodate persons of both sexes and of all sizes without discomfort. It permits the wearer a maximum degree of freedom of movement. lt permits a person to be towed through or to be hoisted out of the water. It floats the wearer face up and at the correct angle.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claims. it is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claims without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A buoyant jacket including in combination first and second unitary front buoyant bodies, each of said front buoyant bodies having a relatively thick shoulder portion and a relatively thin waist portion and a chest portion connecting the shoulder and waist portions, each of said shoulder portions having a transversely extending slit across its outer surface, respective left and right back unitary masses of buoyant material, each of said back masses extending from a shoulder toward the waist of said jacket, each of said back masses tapering from a relatively thick shoulder portion to a relatively thin waist portion, and fabric covering means for housing said bodies and said masses, said covering means comprising means for connecting the respective shoulder portions of said front bodies to the shoulder portions of said rear masses to form a neck opening when the jacket is positioned around the torso of a wearer, said covering means comprising means forming a fabric hinge extending along the spine of the wearer for connecting said back buoyant bodies.

2. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 including means extending around the outer periphery of said jacket for holding the jacket in position on the wearers torso.

3. A buoyant jacket as in claim 2 in which said holding means comprises a first strap and means for adjusting the vertical position of said strap on the outside of said back buoyant mass.

4. A buoyant jacket as in claim 3 in which said first strap is adjustably positioned vertically adjacent the middle of said back buoyant mass and in which said holding means comprises a second strap located adjacent the waist portions of said front bodies and adjacent the waist area of said back mass.

5. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 including an additional spaced transverse slit in each of the shoulder portions of said front bodies.

6. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front bodies is formed with a hollowed-out area in the back of its chest area.

7. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front bodies has a vertical slit extending into the front surface thereof at the chest portion.

8. A buoyant acket as in claim l in WhlCh each of said back masses has a transversely extending slit in the outer surface thereof.

9. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front buoyant bodies is formed with a hollowed-out area in the inner surface thereof and a vertically extending slit extending into the outer surface thereof at the chest portion, and in which each of said back masses is provided with a transversely extending slit in the outer surface thereof.

10. A buoyant jacket as in claim 9 in which said holding means comprises a first strap extending around the outsides of said front and back bodies and masses adjacent the waist portions and a second strap extending around the outsides of said front and back bodies and masses adjacent the chest regions and means for adjusting the vertical position of said second strap with respect to said back masses.

1]. In a buoyant vest, a front buoyant body molded of foamed, closed-cell synthetic resin, said body having a shoulder portion and a chest portion and a waist portion, a transverse slit formed in the outer skin of said body at said shoulder portion and a vertical slit formed in said outer skin at said chest portion.

12. A body as in claim 11 in which said waist portion is thin relative to said shoulder portion. 

1. A buoyant jacket including in combination first and second unitary front buoyant bodies, each of said front buoyant bodies having a relatively thick shoulder portion and a relatively thin waist portion and a chest portion connecting the shoulder and waist portions, each of said shoulder portions having a transversely extending slit across its outer surface, respective left and right back unitary masses of buoyant material, each of said back masses extending from a shoulder toward the waist of said jacket, each of said back masses tapering from a relatively thick shoulder portion to a relatively thin waist portion, and fabric covering means for housing said bodies and said masses, said covering means comprising means for connecting the respective shoulder portions of said front bodies to the shoulder portions of said rear masses to form a neck opening when the jacket is positioned around the torso of a wearer, said covering means comprising means forming a fabric hinge extending along the spine of the wearer for connecting said back buoyant bodies.
 2. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 including means extending around the outer periphery of said jacket for holding the jacket in position on the wearer''s torso.
 3. A buoyant jacket as in claim 2 in which said holding means comprises a first strap and means for adjusting the vertical position of said strap on the outside of said back buoyant mass.
 4. A buoyant jacket as in claim 3 in which said first strap is adjustably positioned vertically adjacent the middle of said back buoyant mass and in which said holding means comprises a second strap located adjacent the waist portions of said front bodies and adjacent the waist area of said back mass.
 5. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 including an additional spaced transverse slit in each of the shoulder portions of said front bodies.
 6. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front bodies is formed with a hollowed-out area in the back of its chest area.
 7. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front bodies has a vertical slit extending into the front surface thereof at the chest portion.
 8. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said back masses has a transversely extending slit in the outer surface thereof.
 9. A buoyant jacket as in claim 1 in which each of said front buoyant bodies is formed with a hollowed-out area in the inner surface thereof and a vertically extending slit extending into the outer surface thereof at the chest portion, and in which each of said back masses is provided with a transversely extending slit in the outer surface thereof.
 10. A buoyant jacket as in claim 9 in which said holding means comprises a first strap extending around the outsides of said front and back bodies and masses adjacent the waist portions and a second strap extending around the outsides of said front and back bodies and masses adjacent the chest regions and means for adjusting the vertical position of said second strap with respect to said back masses.
 11. In a buoyant vest, a front buoyant body molded of foamed, closed-cell synthetic resin, said body having a shoulder portion and a chest portion and a waist portion, a transverse slit formed in the outer skin of said body at said shoulder portion and a vertical slit formed in said outer skin at said chest portion.
 12. A body as in claim 11 in which said waist portion is thin relative to said shoulder portion. 